This is not the first time Franco’s lent his Gucci-endorsing face to promote performance art. His previous foray into the avant-garde was in the film “Erased James Franco” –- a Warhol-esque deconstruction of James Franco’s career in which he re-enacts past movie roles and parts originated by Julianne Moore and Rock Hudson. It was directed by his friend, the New York-based artist Carter (single name, like Madonna). The film premiered at the Museum of Modern Art in April, and made its way last month to San Francisco’s Castro Theater, which also hosted the world premiere of “Milk,” another Franco film.

Could this get any more meta? Oh, it can. Franco’s “General Hospital” appearance will be material for his next collaboration with Carter, a more ambitious feature-length film that is currently in the works and will explore similar themes as “Erased.” Franco will then follow up his two-month “General Hospital” run with an appearance as himself on “30 Rock,”in a faux-mance with Jane Krakowski’s character Jenna. And so continues the pattern of ironic self-referencing.

All this sounds like an inside joke we don’t quite get. We want answers. Speakeasy caught up with Carter, the man behind Franco’s daytime TV turn, to get the dish on their upcoming project, the significance of Franco’s “General Hospital” role and how this all ties in with their exploration of identity and celebrity.

Read the interview and see an interview with James Franco after the jump.